Sorrento

Sorrento peninsula has a landscape unique in the world, where low and high hills, deep valleys and majestic mountains alternate, where the man’s work - who levelled even the most impervious areas, transforming them in the famous terraces degrading towards the sea, on which he cultivated orange and lemon trees, olive groves and vineyards - has been grandiose. These are the delightful gardens that in spring time exhale a stirring scent of orange - blossom. The mild and dry climate for most part of the year makes Sorrento peninsula the ideal destination in every season.

Reaching it by land, the first town you will find on your way is Meta, whose ancient farmhouses and sunny beaches are a treasure to disclose.
Piano di Sorrento is a lively town that masterly combines its maritime and rural identity to the role of active trade centre of the Peninsula. High walls that once enclosed old citrus groves run along narrow lanes that cross its low hill.

And Sant’Agnello, on the tuff ridge right on the sea, enchanted the royal family of the Bourbons and the princes of all Europe, who built there fabulous villas.
And, just on the sea, surrounded by hills, appears Sorrento, international town, with its old city centre, its sea-shore, its citrus groves.
Finally the pleasant Massa Lubrense, extreme border of the Peninsula, just in front of Capri, a natural oasis with countless foot-paths among ancient farmhouses, archaeological areas, Mediterranean bush and indescribable landscapes, on enchanting sea and beaches.

by plane
From Naples Capodichino Airport, 8 km north of Naples, is the main airport in Campania, national and internationl flight services.

by bus
Shuttle service is running daily from Naples Airport to Sorrento
Daily bus service from Rome Tiburtina station to Sorrento

by train
Circumvesuviana train service is running from Naples main station to Sorrento every 30 minutes from 6,00 to 21,30, train ride is 60 minutes about. The train station is under level to the Trenitalia train station in Naples

by boat
From Naples “molo Beverello” port daily jet service to Sorrento, Boat ride 35 minutes. Hydrofoil service also from Capri, Ischia and Amalfi coast

what to see....

In Sorrento the Cloister of St. Francis with its adjacent church and the nearby Villa Comunale with splendid views over the Gulf, the Church of Sant’Antonino, patron saint of Sorrento and protector of sailors; The Correale di Newfoundland Museum which holds important testimonies of the history of the city; Sedile Dominova, age-old loggia (1500s) that at one time served as seat of the town council of Sorrento; the Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea, in an ancient 18th century palace, with splendid examples of the art of inlay; The Romanesque cathedral dates back to the 15th century with its bell tower; Marina Grande, an ancient seaside village, still a quaint fishing village and much more.
Not far away, at the baths of Queen Giovanna at the Cape of Sorrento, you can admire ruins of the Roman villa belonging to Pollio Felice; In Sant’Agnello, the ancient baroque cathedral and the Church of the Capuchin friars; in Piano di Sorrento the “Georges Vallet” archaeological museum of the Sorrento Peninsula in Villa Fondi, from its garden a wonderful landscape; the magical and unspoilt Bay of Jeranto and the Punta Campanella, opposite to Capri, the final tip of the Sorrento peninsula.

what to visit....

Sorrento, for its position, is the ideal starting point for visiting all the important tourist sites of the area. Numerous excursions organized by sea and by land, in various languages, to the discovery of Capri, Ischia, Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Vesuvius, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Paestum, Rome.
For those who prefer to travel alone numerous possibilities from Sorrento by bus to the Amalfi Coast, “Circumvesuviana” train to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples, Hydrofoil for the islands.
In the summer many boat trips accompany you to discover the Costa to Capri, Positano, Amalfi with stops in the coves for a bath away from the crowded beaches.
Furthermore.. for nature lovers, hiking along the trails of the peninsula for discover the many scenic marvels of this natural balcony over the bays of Naples and Salerno.

what to eat....

The Sorrentine gastronomy, made from natural ingredients, is based on the flavors and scents of the sea and the mountains.
Amongst the most famous dishes: Caprese salad, bruschetta with fresh tomato, potato gnocchi alla sorrentina; cannelloni with ricotta; pennette pasta with zucchini; eggplant parmigiana, Spaghetti with varius sauces; shrimps sautéed in a pan or fried with breadcrumbs; octopus in a casserole, baked fish and... Pizza.
Don’t forget the “Mozarella” or “Fior di Latte“ which is fresh cows milk cheese used in many dishes but also delicious on its own or with fresh tomatoes!
Simple but inimitable tastes that go well with a white or red Sorrento wine. Finally, the local pastries, dominated by the citrus scent: lemon sorbet, lemon delights, Rum Baba with Limoncello and delicious lemon biscuits being the best. The ice cream, the zeppole and the sfogliatella are also great. To digest a good homemade limoncello served cold in small glasses, also cold, or a nocino, another liquor typical of Sorrento made from nuts.

what to buy...

Sorrento’s historical centre is the ideal place for shopping, from the seafront to the narrow streets, leading to the main street area there is thousand souvenirs that can be found. Typical hand-crafted marquetry, hand-stitched tablecloths, coloured handmade sandals, distilleries and local gastronomic products.
The inlaid wooden marquetry realized by the Sorrentine artisan, they patiently and skill fully decorate wooden objects with delicate inlays creating a variety of patterns and colours. Their workshops are lined with piles of small boxes pressed into clamps,then put out in open air for the glue to dry in the sun. This gives character and colour to the streets making pleasant to walk all around the old town.
You can also buy a myriad delicacies such as : limoncello liqueurs painted bottles, almond and lemon cakes, orange pastries, buiscuits, jams,and local handmade ice cream.
Along the main street,”the Corso Italia”, many shops offer the most famous “Made in Italy” brands.